Engels named state free throw champ

Some say accurate free-throw shooting is an art. If that's true, then Kalleigh Engels is an artist.

After a stellar performance at the state free throw championship, Engels – daughter of Jackie and Jacob Engels – was named this year's 9-year-old girls' Knights of Columbus State Free Throw Champion of North Dakota.

The Knights of Columbus free throw championship first began in 1972, and has been providing boys and girls ages nine through 14 with an athletic outlet while encouraging the values of sportsmanship and healthy competition.

The state event was held at St. Mary's Academy in Bismarck on Saturday, March 25, and was the culmination of multiple free throw shooting contests.

To qualify for state, Engels first had to show off her shooting at the local, district and regional levels.

To kick things off, she took top marks in the 9-year-old girls' division at the New Rockford Knights of Columbus free throw contest, followed by a win at the District 13 Knights of Columbus free throw shoot off at Devils Lake in late January.

Finally, she took first place yet again at the regional event on Feb. 26 in Jamestown, officially qualifying her for the state event in Bismarck.

Also qualifying for state was Isla Jacobson, competing in the 11-year-old girls' division. Jacobson finished in fourth at state, making 16 out of 25 free throws.

In Bismarck, Engels made an impressive 20 out of 25 free throws, more than enough to defeat the other five girls she competed against. At last year's state free throw contest, the winning 9-year-old girl made just 16 out of her 25 free throws attempts.

For her winning effort, Engels took home an impressive trophy and the all-important bragging rights of being among the best young free throw shooters in NorDakota. Certainly, the New Rockford-Sheyenne community looks forward to seeing her compete for the Rockets!